The Indian Independence
Movement and Mohandas Gandhi
SS7H3 The student will analyze continuity and change in Southern and
Eastern Asia leading to the 21st century.
a. Describe how nationalism led to independence in India .
b. Describe the impact of Mohandas Gandhi’s belief in non-violent protest.
One of the greatest men in the history of India is
unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape
and character to India's freedom struggle is worthy of
a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the
sake of his country. The respect that he earned for
himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much
appreciable. Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in
the freedom struggle of India. His non violent ways
and peaceful methods were the foundation for gaining
independence from the British.
Mahatma Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand
Gandhi on 2nd October at Porbandar located in Gujarat.
He went off to South Africa after marriage and worked as
barrister there for twenty years. In South Africa, he had
his first brush with apartheid. Once while he was
traveling in a train, he was thrown out of the first class
compartment despite having a ticket. This made him
swear that he would do his best to erase apartheid from
the face of his world. He went back to India only to find
that his own country was being ruled by the British and
his fellow citizens were being treated harshly by the
British.
Like other great men in history, Gandhi took his
time to grow and develop his techniques to
ensure that his actions made an impact. His faith
in different religions was commendable. He
listened to the teachings of Christianity with the
same belief and faith he read the Hindu
scriptures with. He was brutally honest and
truthful and this helped him throughout his life.
Non Co-operation Movement
One of the first series of non violent protests nationwide
was the non cooperation movement started by Mahatma
Gandhi. This movement officially started the Gandhian
era in India. In this freedom struggle, the non
cooperation movement aimed at making the Indians
aware of the fact that the British government can be
opposed and if done actively, it will keep a check on
them. Thus, educational institutions were boycotted,
foreign goods were boycotted, and people let go of their
nominated seats in government institutions. Though the
movement failed, Indians awakened to the concept of
going against the British.
Civil Disobedience Movement
Gandhi again took off with another non violent
movement known as the civil disobedience movement.
This movement was more active than the non
cooperation movement and brought about a revolution of
sorts. This movement aimed at bringing the British
administration to a stop by withdrawing support from
everything. There was agitation against land revenue,
abolition of salt tax, cutting down military expenditure,
levying duty on foreign cloth, etc. A very important
movement was that of Salt Satyagraha where Gandhi
undertook the Dandi march as a protest against the Salt
tax.
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement was launched under the
leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in August 1942. The
main aim for launching this movement was to bring the
British to negotiate with the Indian leaders. It was a call
for immediate independence of India and the slogan of
"Do or Die" was adopted for the same. However the
leaders were arrested soon after Gandhi's speech and
were put in jail by British officials. Gandhi went on a fast
for 21 days demanding the release of the leaders despite
his failing health. The British had to secure the release of
the leaders.
India Independence
After the Quit India Movement the freedom
struggle got even more intense and passionate.
Entire India was united together in the
movement for freedom. Everyone contributed
what they could in the freedom struggle. The cry
of Purna Swaraj or complete independence was
raised. After much sacrifice and effort, India
gained its independence on August 15, 1947.
Videos on Gandhi
Gandhi, Men of our time
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Gandhi
short video dictionary segment at Georgia
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